Sir, – As a law student in Dublin Technological University, I am shocked to read that the acid attack on the face of 17-year-old Waterford boy has resulted only in a juvenile caution for two alleged perpetrators (Homes News, December 13th).
By comparison, in London in March 2018, a 17-year-old convicted for a similar acid attack on the faces of moped drivers was jailed for 10-and-a-half years.
Juvenile cautions are normally intended and applied for more “minor” offences, such as graffiti spraying.
As an alternative to detention, the Children’s Act of 2001, provides for 10 different community sanctions that apply until the young offender reaches 18 years of age, which include a rigorous garda-supervised Curfew Order which can include rehabilitative treatment, or a Supervision Order.
The young victim of this acid attack and his family would be fully within their rights to request a review of this decision and to receive a full explanation on the reasons for the decision by the DPP not to bring criminal charges against two individuals. – Yours, etc,
SADHBH GALLAGHER,
Glenageary, Co Dublin.